Hot rooms: London & Riyadh
An old fave and a new opening
[ LONDON ]
Fit for a queen
When a hotel claims to be the very first in the world to have offered private bathrooms to their guests (back in 1910 no less) you can see why aristo visitors to Buckingham Palace preferred to spend the night at The Goring down the road instead.
So it’s just as well that the recent refit of the rooms didn’t get complacent about the old en suites. Hand-painted wallpaper from Fromenthal sets them apart from other five-star hotels’ and rams home the Art Deco undertones. Talking of rams, stuffed sheep are dotted about everywhere from the lobby and bar to various bedrooms. It’s a nod to the eccentric English heritage of The Goring, one of the few hotels still privately owned: it’s currently run by the fourth generation of the family who founded it.
Not that it’s scared of breaking out of the mould. The classical dining room was given an overhaul by Lord Linley (closing the circle of family ties: his grandmother the Queen Mum was a regular visitor) and the Swarovski floral chandeliers (right) caused such controversy that they made sure the menu was faithful to English classics. Where else will you find boiled bacon, with stewed peas, onions and creamed potatoes or Scottish lobster omelette? Robina Dam
The Goring, Beeston Place, London SW1, +44 (0)20 7396 9000; www.goringhotel.co.uk
[ RIYADH ]
Garden grows
If you’re after a little Western comfort in the Arabian peninsula try the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya. It is the international chain’s first mid-priced brand venture in the region and caused something of a stir in the Saudi capital when it opened in July.
Situated on Olaya Street, in Riyadh’s commerce district, the 180-room hotel has all the business essentials, plus ‘stay fit kits’ for in-room workouts, an Oasis Grill for formal meals, and the Pavilion Pantry, a 24-hour shop that provides on-the-go snacks and sundries. Alex Rayner
8951 Olaya Main Street Building, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, +966 (0)1 293 5533 www.riyadholaya.hgi.com
